A Tribute in Thread: Limerick’s Forgotten Lacemakers

As part of the Laces of Ireland project, Limerick Museum announces a dedicated lace exhibition titled: “A Tribute in Thread: Limerick Museum exhibition: “A Tribute in Thread: Limerick’s Forgotten Lacemakers”.

The exhibition will run from Tuesday, 5th of August until Saturday 30th of August, at the Limerick Museum on Henry Street.

More details following soon!

This exhibition is one of the three major exhibitions organised as part of the Laces of Ireland project. The project is funded by Creative Ireland’s Creative Communities on a Shared Island Scheme, and Limerick City and County Council through Creative Ireland Limerick.

Irish Crochet Lace Revival Showcase

As part of Heritage Week 2025 (16th – 24th August), Irish Crochet Lace Revival will have a mobile exhibition of both new and vintage Irish Crochet Lace inspired doilies on display in the County Library, Tallaght, Dublin 24.

On Saturday 23rd of August, to compliment the exhibition, we will a have Meet the Maker Showcase session from 10am to 1pm.

During the morning a number of our members will be on-hand to demonstrate Irish Crochet lace as well as showcasing some of our vintage lace collection!

Threads of Beauty: A Pop-Up Celebration of Limerick Lace

Step into a delicate world of heritage and artistry at the Limerick City Library with Threads of Beauty, a pop-up exhibition presented by Friends of Lace Limerick. This curated showcase highlights the intricate beauty and historic charm of Limerick lace, one of Ireland’s most treasured textile traditions.

The exhibition will also include samples of Headford, Carrickmacross, Borris and Clones lace.

Discover rare examples of lacework, lacemaking tools, and stories woven through generations, all within the heart of the city.

Lace in the Library: Meet the Makers

Watch history come to life as master lacemakers set up among the bookshelves in Limerick City Library. In this unique live demonstration, you’ll witness the fine techniques of Limerick lace, alongside other exquisite Irish lace traditions such as Clones, Headford, Borris, and tatting.

Engage directly with the makers, ask questions, and experience the skill and patience behind each stitch. A rare opportunity to see Ireland’s living lace heritage in action.

Entwined Stories: A Talk on Ireland’s Lace Traditions

Join us for an informative talk that unravels the rich tapestry of Irish lace-making traditions. From the rise of Limerick lace in the 19th century to the traditions of Carrickmacross, Clones, Headford, Borris, and Youghal lace, this presentation explores how lace shaped Ireland’s cultural, economic, and artistic history.

From there we’ll move to the 21st century to discover how lace traditions are kept alive on the island of Ireland, and we will introduce some of the outcomes of our “Laces of Ireland” project.

Perfect for history lovers, craft enthusiasts, and anyone curious about Ireland’s textile legacy.

Introduction to Limerick Lace workshop for children

This workshop introduces children to the design of their own piece of Limerick Lace and can use the Honeycomb Wizard to practice the stitches or even create new ones! We will be asking the children to use their design skills to create their own Limerick Lace design. During the design process we will discuss the history of the Lace and will do a quiz on fun facts about Limerick. The young designers will complete their own design to take home with them.

Location: National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts & History, Learning resource Room.

Booking necessary.

Age: suitable for children 4-8 years
Children must be supervised at all times. Spaces are limited and need to be pre-booked. Please reserve tickets for all attendees both adult and children. Tickets are limited to 4 per group. No more that 2 adults permitted per group.

Introduction to Mountmellick Embroidery workshop for children

This workshop introduces children to Mountmellick Embroidery, gives them the history of the embroidery including Australian Mountmellick.  We will teach the children how to create their own design using many upcycled materials.  We will have some fun facts about Mountmellick and Australia and will discuss the trip to Australia that many of the young Mountmellick lacemakers took in the 1800s.  The young designers will complete their own design to take home with them.

Age:  suitable for children 4-8 years

Location:    National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts & History, Learning resource Room.   

The Summer of Lace 2025 on the island of Ireland

5 Jul 2025 – official launch of the Lace & Legacy exhibition in the Armagh County Museum. The exhibition will stay open until 11 Oct 2025 and will host a series of events organised by the South Armagh Lace Collective in collaboration with the Armagh County Museum.

14 Jul 2025 – Gathering of local textile crafts people at Mountmellick Embroidery Museum’s Studio with special guest Mary Elizabeth Barron, Australian lace artist.

19 Jul 2025 – Headford Brickeens- Drop-in community engagement workshop with Mary Elizabeth Barron, organised by Headford Lace Project in Headford, co. Galway

20 Jul 2025 – Masterclass with Mary Elizabeth Barron – Large scale bobbin lace making with recycled plastic with Headford Lace Project in Headford, co. Galway

22 Jul 2025 – Talk and pop-up exhibition: Mary Elizabeth Barron – “My Lace Making Journey”, organised by Friends of Lace Limerick in the Limerick Museum

23 Jul 2025 – Limerick lace beginners workshop with Friends of Lace Limerick, followed by visit at the Heritage Centre, Charleville

2 Aug 2025 – Carrickmacross lace workshop, Millenium Court, Armagh

3 Aug 2025 – Borris lacemakers at the Vintage Rally in Kilkenny – A Stitch in Time – Pop-up exhibition

5 Aug 2025 – Opening of the Limerick Museum exhibition: “A Tribute in Thread – Limerick’s Forgotten Lacemakers”, organised as part of the Laces of Ireland project. The exhibition will stay open until the 30th of Aug 2025 inclusive.

6 Aug 2025 – Borris Lacemakers visiting Friends of Lace Limerick

8 Aug 2025 – The Guild of Irish lacemakers is organising two workshops for children at the National Museum of Ireland at Collins Barracks:

14 Aug 2025 – Opening of the Cork Public Museum Exhibition: “Cork’s Lace Heritage and Beyond: The Story of a Living Tradition”. This exhibition is part of the Laces of Ireland project. The exhibition will stay open until 20 Dec 2025 .

15 Aug 2025 – Friends of Lace Limerick in the Limerick City Library, part of August Craft Month

16 Aug 2025 – Friends of Lace Limerick in the Limerick City Library – Laces of Ireland pop-up exhibition as part of Heritage Week

16-23 Aug 2025 – Celebrating 20 Years of Traditional Lacemaking in Ireland – exhibition of the Traditional Lacemakers of Ireland in the Cork City Library; closed on Sunday, 17 Aug.

16 Aug 2025 – Lace workshop and a fashion show featuring traditional Irish lace, 11am-3pm, organised by The Traditional Lacemakers of Ireland in Cork City Library

16 Aug-24 Aug 2025 – Irish Crochet Lace Revival Showcase -exhibition of the Irish Crochet Revival Group in the Tallaght Library, Dublin.

21 Aug 2025 – Visit Cork Public Museums New Lace Exhibit & Drop in Talk, 10:30am-12:30pm, organised by the Cork Public Museum in collaboration with the Traditional Lacemakers of Ireland at the Cork Public Museum, Fitzgerald Park

 23 Aug.2025 – Meet the Maker Showcase session with the Irish Crochet Revival Group from 10am to 1pm in the Tallaght Library, Dublin.

Cork Public Museum Exhibition: “Cork’s Lace Heritage and Beyond: The Story of a Living Tradition”

As part of the Laces of Ireland project, Cork Public Museum announces a dedicated lace exhibition titled: “Cork’s Lace Heritage and Beyond: The Story of a Living Tradition”.

The exhibition will open on the 14th of August, and will remain open until the 20th of December 2025.


This exhibition explores the story of lace in Cork and beyond— a tradition rooted in skill, creativity, and community. From delicate patterns to enduring legacies, visitors are invited to discover how lace connects the past with the present.


Cork Public Museum is operated by Cork City Council and welcomes all visitors to enjoy its exhibitions and collections in the beautiful surroundings of Fitzgerald Park.

This project has been made possible through the Creative Communities on a Shared Island
Scheme, supported by Creative Ireland and Limerick City and County Council.

A Stitch in Time

Borris Lacemakers will bring their amazing lace to the  Inistogue Vintage Rally, Co. Kilkenny on the banks of the River Nore on Sunday August 3rd 2025. This is a fun-filled family event with events for all ages. It is a totally volunteer event with all the profits going to the Carlow/Kilkenny Homecare Team.

Meet the Makers and learn about this unique Carlow craft. View our lace display, with lacemakers on hand to invite people to ‘Try a Stitch’. We will have copies of lace patterns available for younger children to colour.

An opportunity to purchase our Starter Pack with everything needed to learn the basics of Borris Lacemaking.

We look forward to meeting you!